Songs and tunes of the Greek Roma. Recordings from Sofades, Karditsa (1992)

This unique publication (book+cd) is an ethnological research by Vangelis Bandelas and Costis Drygianakis. Their aim was to document aspects of the musical idioms of the Greek Roma people, from Sofades, Karditsa, in Greece. The recordings was made in 1992, including Roma musicians, that used to play music at weddings and local celebrations. This release includes recordings by Giannis Isoufis (Γιάννης Ισούφης, clarinet, 1917 – 1995), Kostas Isoufis (Κώστας Ισούφης, lute, 1940 – 1994) and Mitsaras Lazos (Μητσάρας Λάζος, vocals, 1935 – 1995) and otherm younger ones, still alive.

This publication by Volos Academy Publications aims to highlight the overall diversity of modern Greek folk culture and to cultivate a climate of mutual respect between the different communities. The book (greek language only) documents the tales of the lyrics that the musicians sing. The CD includes the recordings that it was made in Sofades of Karditsa.